China has successfully returned a reusable rocket booster, which is an important step in space technology. This breakthrough means the rocket parts can be used again for future missions instead of being thrown away.
Key Facts
China achieved the recovery of its first reusable rocket booster.
Reusable rocket boosters can be flown multiple times, lowering the cost of space missions.
This success marks a major advancement in China’s space program.
The achievement puts China alongside a few countries with this technology.
Reusable rockets help make space travel more sustainable and efficient.
The event occurred on July 10, 2026.
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Meta, the company that owns Instagram and Facebook, has appealed a court decision that found it responsible for making young users addicted to social media. The case involved a woman who said she became addicted as a child and suffered mental health problems because of it. Meta and Google (YouTube) plan to continue fighting the verdict in court.
Key Facts
A Los Angeles jury ruled that Meta and Google-owned YouTube caused harm by designing features that hooked young users.
The jury awarded $3 million in damages plus $3 million in punitive damages to a woman who became addicted to social media as a child.
Meta filed an appeal against the verdict, starting a legal process that could take a long time.
YouTube also plans to appeal the decision, calling the appeal motion a normal step.
Meta and Google had asked the judge to cancel the jury’s verdict or order a new trial, but the judge denied those requests.
The case focused on platform features like infinite scroll and autoplay, arguing they encourage addiction.
Similar legal challenges are happening, including a $375 million penalty against Meta by a New Mexico jury.
Other social media companies, TikTok’s parent and Snap Inc., settled separately before the trial.
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Meta removed a new AI feature that let users create fake images using content from public Instagram accounts. The company said the feature did not meet expectations and it will no longer be available after users criticized it.
Key Facts
Meta introduced an AI image tool called Muse Image as part of Meta AI.
The feature allowed users to tag public Instagram accounts to generate or change images using their content.
Many people reacted negatively to the feature soon after it launched.
Meta admitted the tool "missed the mark" and decided to take it down.
Meta said the goal was to offer a creative tool and let people control how their public content was used.
The AI feature was only on Instagram, but Meta planned to add similar tools to WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger.
Meta is also working on a separate AI video tool.
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Ubisoft has released a remake of the popular 2013 game Assassin's Creed Black Flag, called Black Flag Resynced, updating its graphics and gameplay for modern players. The game features a bright, colorful Caribbean setting and removes some less popular parts of the original, offering more time with fan-favorite characters.
Key Facts
Assassin's Creed Black Flag was originally released 13 years ago and is one of the most successful pirate-themed games.
The remake uses modern graphics technology to brighten the game's look, especially the Caribbean landscape and underwater scenes.
The modern-day story parts from the original, set in an office, were removed in the remake.
Fans appreciate the chance to revisit the game world and characters like Edward Kenway, Anne Bonny, and Stede Bonnet with improved visuals.
Ubisoft released the remake during a tough year, having closed studios and cancelled or delayed other games.
Remaking classic games is common in the industry because new games take longer and remakes are often very profitable.
Gaming experts describe the remake trend as driven by financial needs and filling gaps in companies’ release schedules.
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Researchers from the University of Aberdeen and Australian National University have studied whether people can be trained to identify AI-generated fake human faces, known as deepfakes. They found that, by learning to notice subtle features in faces, people can improve their ability to tell real images from AI fakes within a short training period.
Key Facts
AI can now create very realistic fake human faces called deepfakes.
Early AI mistakes, like extra fingers, helped detection but are now rare.
Researchers trained people to look for six clues: symmetry, proportionality, attractiveness, distinctiveness, expressiveness, and memorability.
AI often produces faces that are too perfect, more attractive, more generic, less emotional, and less memorable.
AI struggles more with creating realistic non-white, older, or younger faces.
Training involved showing participants mixed real and AI faces and explaining which were which.
Participants improved from about 40% correct guesses to significantly higher accuracy after training.
The study used images generated by StyleGAN3, a leading AI face generator.
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Apple has sued OpenAI, claiming that OpenAI stole trade secrets while trying to develop its own hardware for ChatGPT. The lawsuit names two former Apple employees now working at OpenAI and accuses OpenAI of encouraging theft of confidential Apple information.
Key Facts
Apple filed a lawsuit in California federal court accusing OpenAI of stealing trade secrets.
Two former Apple employees, Tang Tan and Chang Liu, now at OpenAI, are named in the suit.
Apple says OpenAI encouraged current Apple employees to share confidential information when switching jobs.
The lawsuit claims OpenAI is building hardware based partly on stolen Apple knowledge.
Chang Liu allegedly accessed and downloaded confidential Apple files even after leaving the company.
Tang Tan reportedly advised job candidates to bring Apple parts to OpenAI interviews.
Apple contacted OpenAI in February about these concerns but received no response.
Apple and OpenAI previously partnered, but their relationship has shifted toward rivalry as OpenAI pursues new AI devices.
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Google has developed a method to continuously recalibrate quantum processors while they run calculations. This technique uses the same data from error correction to detect calibration errors and applies a type of machine learning called reinforcement learning to adjust settings in real-time.
Key Facts
Quantum processors use qubits, which must be carefully calibrated to reduce errors.
Traditional calibration stops computations to retune the system, which is not practical for long calculations.
Google uses transmon qubits controlled by microwave pulses that can experience drift, causing errors.
The system detects errors through error correction codes that monitor groups of qubits.
Calibration errors produce specific patterns in error data that can be distinguished from random errors.
Reinforcement learning tests slight changes in control settings and learns which reduce errors best.
This recalibration happens during computing without stopping the quantum calculation.
The method was demonstrated on two logical qubits using different error correction schemes.
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Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of trying to steal secret information. Apple says OpenAI conducted job interviews with its employees to access details about Apple's tools, work methods, and products that have not been released yet.
Key Facts
Apple sued OpenAI in a federal court in California.
The lawsuit claims OpenAI tried to get confidential information through job interviews.
The information targeted includes Apple's tools, processes, and unreleased products.
Apple views OpenAI as both a competitor and a partner in the AI industry.
The lawsuit was made public on a Friday.
Apple wants to protect its trade secrets and intellectual property.
OpenAI has not publicly responded to the lawsuit yet.
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Apple has sued OpenAI and some former Apple employees, accusing them of stealing secret information about Apple’s product plans and technology. The lawsuit claims these individuals took Apple’s confidential details to help OpenAI develop its own hardware products.
Key Facts
Apple filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, two former Apple employees, and io Products for stealing trade secrets.
The ex-employees reportedly emailed themselves internal Apple information before joining OpenAI.
OpenAI denies interest in other companies' secrets and is reviewing Apple’s complaint.
Apple claims OpenAI uses confidential information to build its new hardware products, including an AI keyboard soon to be released.
Apple alleges OpenAI asks current Apple workers in job interviews to bring Apple parts as “props.”
io Products, a design firm founded by former Apple executive Jony Ive, was acquired by OpenAI last year.
Apple wants the court to stop OpenAI from using any confidential information and seeks money damages.
Apple said it tried to discuss these issues with OpenAI in February but received no response.
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Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the AI company of stealing secret information and designs from Apple to develop its own hardware device. The suit claims some former Apple employees joined OpenAI and took confidential materials with them.
Key Facts
Apple sued OpenAI for allegedly taking trade secrets about unreleased products and technologies.
The lawsuit claims OpenAI recruited former Apple employees who shared confidential information.
OpenAI spent $6.4 billion to buy a hardware startup started by ex-Apple designer Jony Ive.
OpenAI’s chief hardware officer, formerly an Apple vice-president, is accused of encouraging employees to bring actual Apple parts to interviews.
Another former Apple worker is accused of downloading many secret Apple hardware files using a security flaw.
Apple and OpenAI had a partnership earlier in 2024 to include ChatGPT in Apple devices but later Apple used Google’s AI in Siri instead.
Apple wants financial compensation and a court order to stop OpenAI from using its secret information.
OpenAI said it is reviewing the lawsuit and denied interest in stealing trade secrets.
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Canada is updating its privacy laws with Bill C-36, called the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act, to protect people's personal information better in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). The new law treats privacy as a basic right, offers special protection for children's data, and requires companies to be clear when AI makes important decisions about people.
Key Facts
Bill C-36 is Canada’s first major update to private-sector privacy laws in over 25 years.
The law recognizes privacy as a fundamental human right.
It strengthens protection for children’s personal information.
People gain more rights to have their personal data deleted.
Companies must explain when AI or automated systems make significant decisions about individuals.
The bill addresses risks from AI systems that predict and profile people using data they may never have shared.
Experts warn that AI can make decisions based on inferences from data patterns, not just direct information.
The law aims to reduce risks of re-identifying individuals from supposedly anonymous data while supporting research and innovation.
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Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and two of its executives, accusing them of stealing Apple's secret information to help develop OpenAI’s hardware. Apple claims the former employees took important technology details while working at Apple and used them improperly at OpenAI.
Key Facts
Apple sued OpenAI in a California court for stealing trade secrets.
The accused are Tang Tan and Chang Liu, former Apple employees now with OpenAI.
Tang Tan worked on Apple devices like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPod for over 20 years.
Chang Liu was an Apple electrical engineer for eight years with access to sensitive technology info.
Apple says OpenAI refused to discuss these theft claims when approached.
The lawsuit calls OpenAI’s new hardware efforts “rotten to its core” due to using stolen secrets.
Apple wants the lawsuit to stop the theft and uncover the full extent of the misused information.
OpenAI did not immediately respond to Apple’s allegations.
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China successfully recovered a reusable Long March 10B rocket booster for the first time by catching it on a ship in the South China Sea after launch. This method helps reduce weight and fuel use for future rocket launches and marks a step forward in China's reusable rocket technology.
Key Facts
The Long March 10B rocket launched from Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan Island.
The booster returned and was caught by a net on an offshore vessel about 10 minutes after liftoff.
The rocket uses seven kerosene engines on the first stage and a methane engine on the second stage.
The Long March 10B can carry around 16 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, slightly less than SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
China’s method combines catching the rocket on a ship with a net, a technique different from SpaceX and Blue Origin’s landing methods.
This is China’s first controlled rocket recovery and makes them the third company after SpaceX and Blue Origin to do so.
The test flight demonstrated multiple engine restarts, precise navigation, and the sea-based net recovery system.
China plans to continue improving the rocket’s performance and reusable technology soon.
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Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in a California court, accusing the company of stealing trade secrets. The suit claims two former Apple employees now working at OpenAI took confidential information to help OpenAI build new AI-related hardware.
Key Facts
Apple sued OpenAI, accusing it of stealing trade secrets to develop hardware for ChatGPT.
The lawsuit names two former Apple employees now at OpenAI: Tang Tan and Chang Liu.
Tang Tan helped design Apple devices like iPhone and Apple Watch, now OpenAI’s chief hardware officer.
Chang Liu was an Apple electrical engineer trusted with sensitive product work before joining OpenAI.
Apple claims Liu accessed and downloaded confidential Apple files after leaving the company.
The suit says Tan encouraged Apple employees interviewing with OpenAI to bring actual Apple parts.
Apple says it alerted OpenAI in February but received no response.
Apple is taking legal steps to protect its innovations and work.
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Last month, Circle, a company that manages a digital dollar called a stablecoin, froze $12.6 million after a court order related to illegal funds. However, this freeze also affected users with no connection to the illegal activity because the current technology cannot separate bad funds from good ones without impacting innocent people.
Key Facts
Circle manages the second-largest stablecoin, a digital currency meant to always equal one U.S. dollar.
Circle froze $12.6 million based on a court order targeting illegal money.
The freeze also affected unrelated users, blocking their access to funds they lawfully own.
Current blockchain technology struggles to clearly separate illegal funds from legal ones.
Many banks and financial companies are moving assets onto blockchains, which are public digital ledgers.
Public transparency on blockchains can expose sensitive financial information, which is a problem for institutions.
Privacy-focused blockchains like Canton and Zama Chain offer more secrecy but complicate enforcement actions.
Enforcing freezes on such private blockchain systems risks affecting many users, not just those involved in wrongdoing.
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Angelo Martino, a ransomware negotiator hired to help victims reduce ransom payments, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for working with cybercriminals to increase ransom demands. He shared confidential information from his clients with the ransomware group BlackCat and profited from the inflated payments.
Key Facts
Martino worked for DigitalMint, a company that negotiates with ransomware criminals to lower ransoms for its clients.
Instead of helping victims, Martino gave secret negotiation details to BlackCat hackers to raise the ransoms.
Victims paid over $75 million in ransom, some of it made higher by the information Martino leaked.
Martino pleaded guilty, cooperating with authorities against two other conspirators, who received four-year prison terms.
He earned millions in cryptocurrency from the scheme and used it to buy homes, a boat, and cars.
The FBI seized some of Martino’s cryptocurrency assets.
The ransomware group BlackCat caused major problems in industries like healthcare and finances by encrypting data and demanding payment.
The U.S. government offers rewards up to $10 million for information on BlackCat members.
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The European Union says Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook, has designed addictive features that break EU rules. The EU wants Meta to change the apps to reduce harmful effects on users, especially young people, or face fines up to six percent of its yearly sales.
Key Facts
The EU investigated Meta for two years and found it violated the Digital Services Act.
The EU wants Meta to stop features like autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, and highly personalized recommendations.
These features are said to cause users to use Instagram and Facebook compulsively, harming mental and physical health.
Meta must change default settings to turn off autoplay and infinite scrolling and reduce personalized feeds.
Meta disagrees with the EU’s findings and says it has taken steps to protect teenagers.
If Meta does not comply, it could be fined up to six percent of its annual revenue.
Experts say forcing Meta to change these features could seriously affect its business model.
The EU will make its final decision in a few months, allowing Meta to respond first.
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Harry Styles’ song "As It Was" has become the fifth most-streamed song ever on Spotify. This means many people have listened to the song on the streaming platform more than almost any other song.
Key Facts
"As It Was" is a song by singer Harry Styles.
It reached the rank of the fifth most-streamed song on Spotify.
Spotify is a music streaming service where people listen to songs online.
Being one of the most-streamed songs means it has a very high number of plays.
This achievement shows the song’s wide popularity among listeners.
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Every year, 37 children die from being left alone in hot cars. New car technology is being developed to help stop these tragedies, and simple reminders can also save lives.
Key Facts
About 37 children die annually after being trapped in hot cars.
Extreme heat inside parked cars can cause fatal conditions very quickly.
New automotive technology is emerging to alert drivers if a child is left in the car.
Simple reminders, like leaving a personal item in the back seat, can prevent accidents.
Awareness about this issue is growing to encourage safer practices among parents and caregivers.
The article points to both technological solutions and basic habits as important safety tools.
Preventing these deaths requires cooperation between technology makers and the public.
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Valve has started showing game compatibility ratings for its new Steam Machine device, separate from the Steam Deck ratings. However, many games that Steam Deck struggles to run well still have an unknown status for Steam Machine, leaving unclear which titles perform well on the more powerful hardware.
Key Facts
Valve expanded its Steam Deck Verified program to include the Steam Machine, which is designed for living room use.
Steam Machine ratings appear on Steam store pages next to the Steam Deck compatibility info.
Games that Steam Deck can run are mostly verified for Steam Machine too.
Some games that Steam Deck cannot run well show as "Unsupported" on Steam Deck but have an "Unknown" Steam Machine compatibility status.
Valve says it is “still learning about” the compatibility of many Steam Deck unsupported games on Steam Machine.
Steam Machine uses SteamOS, an operating system developed by Valve for running games.
Games with small text that is hard to read on Steam Deck often get upgraded to "Verified" on Steam Machine because it is played on a bigger TV.
Games requiring an on-screen keyboard get a warning on both devices, so users might want a wireless keyboard nearby.
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